By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — A 60-year-old Wausau man was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting a child when the girl was about 7 years old.
Douglas Strasser appeared Nov. 27 in Marathon County Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges of first degree sexual assault of a child younger than 13 and child enticement. Two counts of exposing genitals to a child were dismissed as part of a plea agreement but will be considered at sentencing.
The felony charges were filed March 8 in Marathon County Circuit Court.
An investigation began in February when the alleged victim, who is now 14, told social workers at the Eau Claire County Child Advocacy Center that Strasser approached her when the girl was visiting a family member, told her to take off her clothes, and touched her inappropriately. Strasser was known to the girl but they are not blood relatives, according to court documents.
Police say Strasser asked the girl if she wanted to see his penis, then pulled down his pants and underwear and rubbed her breast. In an interview with investigators Strasser said he was “more in shape back then” and thought the girl was attracted to him when he allowed her to “spit” in his mouth, according to the police report.
Strasser, who has no prior criminal history in Wisconsin, is free on bond. A sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 14. Circuit Judge Jill Falstad will preside over the hearing.
